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First Indonesian among new Anglican priests

Melbourne will gain 26 new Anglican priests on Saturday when they are ordained at St Paul's Cathedral.

PHOTO: Janine Eastgate

November 27 2015Melbourne’s Anglican Church will gain 26 new priests on Saturday, one of the largest intakes in recent memory, when they are ordained at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday at 10.30am.

The 26, ranging in age from 24 to 64, will work in parish churches, in planting new churches, and as school, hospital and prison chaplains.

The Venerable Brad Billings, Director of Theological Education, is delighted that the range of new priests matches the diverse profile of the church in Melbourne. They include Sudanese, Chinese and Pacific Island candidates, plus Melbourne’s – and perhaps Australia’s – first Indonesian Anglican priest, Kuncoro Rusman.

Mr Rusman is already ministering to an Indonesian congregation at St John’s in Camberwell, where he is a curate.

“There are many more candidates in training. The big picture looks good for the future vitality of the church,” said Dr Billings.

Melbourne Archbishop Philip Freier said the new priests would help the Church advance its vision to minister in Melbourne's multicultural diversity and in the outer suburbs. “These candidates are open to that challenging task.”

They will join more than 400 clergy serving in more than 200 parishes, 16 schools and other ministries in the Melbourne Diocese.